With 56 candidates examined, the fourth edition of the Young Ballet Choreographers Competition confirms its relevance and the existence of a promising pool of young choreographers in France, Europe and internationally.
As with the first editions, the selection of the six finalists proved difficult for Bruno Bouché, Thierry Malandain and Eric Quilleré, given the quality and diversity of the applications. The profiles of the 25 women, 29 men and 2 couples who applied are very diverse:
• 18 nationalities represented, most of them European, including 21 from France,
• Average age: 31,
• Unlike previous editions, almost half of the candidates are either self-employed or run their own company. The other half comes from mostly German companies.
The Young Ballet Choreographers Contest is supported by the Ministry of Culture, the Caisse des Dépôts, the generous support of Aline Foriel-Destezet and the Thierry Malandain Foundation for Dance at the Académie des Beaux-Arts.
Artistic Director CCN - Ballet de l'Opéra national du Rhin
Director and choreographer of the CCN Malandain Ballet Biarritz
Director of Dance at the Opéra National de Bordeaux
Artistic Director of the Norwegian National Ballet
Artistic Director of Ballett X Schwerin
Director of Metamorphosis Dance
Director and curator of the Hessian State Ballet
Director of Dance at the Opéra national du Capitole
Portuguese, 30 years old
Italian, 34 years old
Swiss, 30 years old
Czech and French, 35 and 42 years old
German, 23 years old
Brazilian, 32 years old
1st prize: creation and distribution residency - 2 winners
Each winner will be able to choreograph a 20-minute piece for 10 to 20 dancers during a month-long residency at the Ballet of the Bordeaux National Opera or the CCN-Ballet of the Opéra national du Rhin.
Each Ballet provides between 10 and 20 dancers, a rehearsal studio, the necessary reception staff and takes charge of making the costumes and props and designing the lighting (no scenery... or at least minimal scenery).
Each creation will be presented in Bordeaux and in the official season of the CCN/Ballet l'Opéra national du Rhin (Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Colmar) … with the Ballets and their partners covering the costs of the stage sets and the promotion of the evenings. In each city, the host Ballet can complete the programme.
Prix de Biarritz - 1 winner
The prize of €15,000 will be awarded to the candidate by the grand jury at the final. Thanks to the Caisse des dépôts et consignations.
Professionals' prize - 1 winner
The prize of €3,000 will be awarded to one of the 6 finalists following a vote by the professionals present on the day of the final on 9 June 2024 (directors of dance companies, theatre managers, journalists, etc.). Thanks to the Fonds de Dotation Malandain pour la Danse.
Public and Fondation pour la Danse Prize - 1 winner
Invited to vote at the end of the competition, spectators at the final on 9 June 2024 will award the choreographer of their choice the "Audience Prize", accompanied by a €3,000 grant. Thanks to the Fondation pour la Danse.
